_Half-awakened un-enthusiastic Sportsman_ (_who wished to go out cub-hunting, but has entirely changed his mind, drowsily addressing rather astonished burglar_). "Awright, old boy. Can't come with you this morning. Too sleepy." [_Turns round and resumes deep sleep where he left off._ ] * * * * * [Illustration: A BROKEN PLEDGE _Sportsman on bank_ (_to Friend in brook_). "Hallo, Thompson, is that you? Why, I thought you had joined the 'No Drinks in between Meals' Party!"] * * * * * "IN THE DIM AND DISTANT FUTURE" _First Sportsman_ (_cantering along easily_). "I say, we shall see you at dinner on the nineteenth, shan't we?" _Second Ditto_ (_whose horse is very fresh, and bolting with him_). "If the beast goes on like this--hanged if you'll ever see me again." * * * * * [Illustration: THERE'S LIFE IN THE OLD DOG YET _Ex-M.F.H._ (_eighty-nine and paralytic_). "Fora-a-d! Fora-a-d! Fora-a-a-d!"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Huntsman_ (_making a cast for the line of the fox, near a railway_). "Hold hard, please! Don't ride over the line!" _Would-be Thrusters._ "Oh, no, we won't. There's a bridge farther on!"] * * * * * [Illustration: "RANK BLASPHEMY" _Squire Oldboy, M.H._ (_enjoying a long and very slow hunt_). "There she goes! Afraid it's a new hare though." _Bored Sportsman._ "How lucky! The other must be getting doosid old."] * * * * * [Illustration: A CHECK _Huntsman._ "Seen the fox, my boy?" _Boy._ "No, I ain't!" _Huntsman._ "Then, what are you hollarin' for?" _Boy_ (_who has been scaring rooks_). "'Cos I'm paid for it!"] * * * * * [Illustration: EASIER SAID THAN DONE _Sixteen-stone Sportsman (who has been nearly put down from a "rotten" landing, to little Bricks, 9st. 2lb.)_: "Do you mind putting me back in the saddle, sir?"] * * * * * [Illustration: THE TROUBLES OF AN M.F.H. _M.F.H._ (_to stranger, who is violently gesticulating to hounds_). "When you have done _feeding your chickens_, sir, perhaps you will allow me to hunt my hounds!"] * * * * * [Illustration: Nobody was near hounds in the big wood when they pulled down the cub except Mr. Tinkler and his inamorata. He rashly volunteers to secure the brush for her!] * * * * * [Illustration: "Morning, Tom. What a beastly day!" "It ain't a day, sir. I call it an interval between two bloomin' nights!"] * * * * * [Illustration: A BAD LOOK-OUT _Sportsman_ (_to Friend whom he has mounted_). "For goodness' sake, old chap, don't let her put you down! She's certain to savage you!"] * * * * * [Illustration: ECHOES OF THE CHASE